LUCKY ESCAPE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11934, 28 January 1936, Page 2

LUCKY ESCAPE

MAX’S SHOCK FROM ELECTRIC 'WIRE. Sydney, Jan. 20. An electrician had an amazing escape from death at Manly this afternoon when a pair of pliers he was using came in contact with an electric cable carrying 33,000 volts. Unable to release himself he screamed for help. The current was switched off quickly, and the man, Lance Donaldson (23), of Queen’s-road, Hurstville, crashed 30 feet on to an awning, and was seriously injured. Donaldson was standing on a ladder adjusting an electric sign at the front of the Embassy Theatre, in East Esplanade. When the pliers touched the highvoltage wire inside the sign, Donaldson screamed for help, and struggled to release himself. His workmate, A. Ryan, of Mere-dith-street, Bankstown, rushed into the theatre and switched off the current. As the current was stopped, Donaldson slipped, and fell backwards to the awning below. Manly District Ambulance was called, and after the officers had rendered first aid, Donaldson was taken to Manly Hospital, where he was admitted. He was suffering from probable fracture of the ribs, abrasions to the face, burns to the right hand, and severe shock.